DuroStar DS1500 User manual

Gasoline Powered Generator
Owner’s Manual
Product Support (Product: information, application, service info & warranty questions)
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FEATURES
• Durable 2.1 HP, Air Cooled Overhead Valve Engine.
• Full Power Panel with Engine Shutoff Switch, VoltMeter,
Circuit Breaker and Power Outlets.
• Fully Protected 120V Outlets
• 8 Hour Run Time.
• All Steel 1.59 Gal. Fuel Tank.
• Low Oil Shut-Off Protects Engine.
• Super Quiet Muffler Reduces EngineNoise.
• Meets EPA and CARB Emission Standards.
This manual provides information regarding the operation and maintenance of these products. We have made
every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this manual. We reserve the right to change this
product at any time without prior notice.

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Table of Contents
FEATURES..................................................................................................................................................................2
GENERAL SAFETY PROCEDURES ...............................................................................................................................4
GENERATOR LABELS .................................................................................................................................................6
PACKAGE CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................7
GENERATOR COMPONENTS .....................................................................................................................................8
PREPARING THE GENERATOR FOR USE ....................................................................................................................9
Using the Generator for the First Time ............................................................................................................9
Step 1- Add oil.................................................................................................................................................9
Step 2 –Add Gasoline .................................................................................................................................. 10
Step 3 - Ground the Generator .................................................................................................................... 10
Subsequent Use of the Generator................................................................................................................. 11
Step 1- Check the oil .................................................................................................................................... 11
Step 2 - Check the Gas Level ........................................................................................................................ 11
Step 2 - Ground the Generator .................................................................................................................... 11
STARTING THE GENERATOR .......................................................................................................................... 12
USING THE GENERATOR ................................................................................................................................ 13
AC Usage ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
DC Usage ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
STOPPING THE GENERATOR.......................................................................................................................... 15
MAINTENANCE / CARE .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Checking the Oil............................................................................................................................................. 16
Changing/ Adding Oil..................................................................................................................................... 17
Air Cleaner Maintenance............................................................................................................................... 18
Spark Plug Maintenance................................................................................................................................ 18
Emptying the Gas Tank.................................................................................................................................. 19
STORAGE/TRANSPORT PROCEDURES............................................................................................................ 19
WARRANTY ............................................................................................................................................................ 20
GENERATOR SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................................ 21
TROUBLESHOOTING .............................................................................................................................................. 22

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GENERAL SAFETY PROCEDURES
Please familiarize yourself with the following safety symbols and words:
The safety alert symbol is used with one of the safety words (DANGER, CAUTION, or WARNING) to alert you
to hazards. Please pay attention to these hazard notices both in this manual and on the generator.
DANGER: Indicates a hazard that will result in serious injury or death if instructions are not followed.
WARNING: Indicates a strong possibility of causing serious injury or death if instructions are not
followed.
CAUTION: Indicates a possibility of personal injury or equipment damage if instructions are not
followed.
WARNING: The exhaust from this product contains chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
WARNING: This generator may emit highly flammable and explosive gasoline vapors,
which can cause severe burns or even death. A nearby open flame can lead to explosion
even if not directly in contact with gas.
•Do not operate near open flame.
•Do not smoke near generator.
•Always operate on a firm, level surface.
•Always turn generator off before refueling. Allow generator to cool for at least 2
minutes before removing fuel cap. Loosen cap slowly to relieve pressure in tank.
•Do not overfill gas tank. Gas may expand during operation. Do not fill to the top of the
tank.
•Always check for spilled gas before operating.
•Empty gasoline tank before storing or transporting the generator.
•Before transporting, turn fuel valve to off and disconnect spark plug.
DANGER: This generator produces poisonous carbon monoxide gas when running. This
gas is both odorless and colorless. Even if you do not see or smell gas, carbon monoxide
may still be present. Breathing this poison can lead to headaches, dizziness, drowsiness,
and eventually death.
•Use outdoors ONLY in non-confined areas.
•Keep several feet of clearance on all sides to allow proper ventilation of the generator.

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WARNING: This generator produces powerful voltage, which can result in
electrocution.
•ALWAYS ground the generator before using it (see the "Grounding the Generator" portion
of the "PREPARING THE GENERATOR FOR USE" section).
•Generator should only be plugged into electrical devices, either directly or with an extension
cord. NEVER connect to a building electrical system without a qualified electrician. Such
connections must comply with local electrical laws and codes. Failure to comply can create
a backflow of power, which may result in serious injury or death to utility workers.
•Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) in highly conductive areas such as metal decking
or steel work. GFCIS are available in-line with some extension cords.
•Do not use in rainy or wet conditions.
•Do not touch bare wires or receptacles (outlets).
•Do not allow children or non-qualified persons to operate.
WARNING: This generator produces heat when running. Temperatures near exhaust can
exceed 150°F (65°C).
•Do not touch hot surfaces. Pay attention to warning labels on the generator denoting hot
parts of the machine.
•Allow generator to cool several minutes after use before touching engine or areas, which
heat during use.
CAUTION: Misuse of this generator can damage it or shorten its life.
•Use generator only for its intended purposes.
•Operate only on dry, level surfaces.
•Allow generator to run for several minutes before connecting electrical devices.
•Shut off and disconnect any malfunctioning devices from generator.
•Do not exceed the Wattage capacity of the generator by plugging in more electrical
devices than the unit can handle (see "PRECAUTIONS-OVERLOADING THE GENERATOR").
•Do not turn on electrical devices until after they are connected to the generator.
•Turn off all connected electrical devices before stopping the generator.

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GENERATOR LABELS
In addition to the above safety notices, please familiarize yourself with the safety and hazard markings on the
generator.

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PACKAGE CONTENTS
Your generator comes with the items listed below. Please check to see that all the following items may be
included with your generator depending on your generator model.
DC Charging Cables
Spark Plug Wrench

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GENERATOR COMPONENTS
Please familiarize yourself with the locations and functions of the various components and controls of your
generator.
1. Fuel Cap - Access to the fuel tank for adding fuel.
2. Frame –Used to carry the generator.
3. 12V DC Receptacle - Use for charging 12 Volt automotive-type batteries only.
4. 12V DC Circuit Protector - Reset switch that protects the generator from DC electrical overload.
5. Circuit Breaker - Reset switch that protects the generator from AC electrical overload.
6. 120 Volt AC Receptacles - Use to connect electrical devices that run 120 Volt, 60 Hz, single phase, AC
current
7. Engine Switch - Used to start/stop engine.
8. Voltmeter –Used to confirm 120v AC Power
9. Recoil Starter - Pull-cord for starting engine.
10. Air Cleaner - A removable, cleanable, sponge-like element that limits the amount of dirt pulled into the
engine.
11. Fuel Valve - Allows fuel to enter engine.
12. Fuel Tank - Contains the fuel.
13. Muffler - Reduces engine noise.
14. Spark plug - Provides ignition source for fuel.

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PREPARING THE GENERATOR FOR USE
Using the Generator for the First Time
If you are using the generator for the first time, there are a few steps you must take to prepare it for operation.
Step 1- Add oil
The generator requires engine oil to operate properly. The generator, when new from the package, contains
no oil in the crankcase. You must add the proper amount of oil before operating the generator for the first
time. This amount, which is equal to the oil capacity of the engine crankcase, can be found on the chart in
figure 1. When filling the engine with oil in the future, please refer to this chart.
Model number
DS1500
Engine oil capacity
13.5 fluid oz.
Figure 1- Generator Oil Capacity
To add oil, follow these steps:
1. Make sure the generator is on a level surface.
2. Unscrew the oil filler/dipstick cap from the engine as shown in figure 2.
3. Using a funnel, add the appropriate amount of oil, as found in figure 1, into the
crankcase. You will know the crankcase is full when the oil level has reached thelower
lip of the opening you have just poured the oil into (see figure 3). Replace oil filler cap.
Figure 2- Unscrewing the oil cap Figure 3 - Adding oil
CAUTION:
•Do not apply engine oil with additives or 2-stroke
gasoline engine oil, as they haven’t enough
lubrication, which may shorten the engine’s service
life.
•Engine oil recommended: SAE 10W-30.
As viscosity varies with regions and temperatures, so
the lubricant has to be selected in accordance with
our recommendation.

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Step 2 –Add Gasoline
WARNING: Gasoline and gas fumes are highly flammable.
•Do not fill tank near an open flame.
•Do not overfill. Always check for fuel spills.
To ensure that the generator runs smoothly use only FRESH, UNLEADED GAS WITH AN OCTANE RATING OF 87
OR HIGHER. To add gasoline:
1. Make sure the generator is on a level surface.
2. Unscrew gas cap and set aside (NOTE: the gas cap may be tight and hard to unscrew).
3. Slowly add unleaded gasoline mix to the fuel tank. Be careful not to overfill. Please refer to the chart
in figure 4 to find the gas capacity of your generator model. NOTE: Gas can expand. Do not fill the
gas tank to the very top.
4. Replace fuel cap and wipe up any spilled gasoline with a dry cloth.
IMPORTANT:
•Never use old gasoline.
•Avoid getting dirt or water in the fuel tank.
•Gas can age in the tank and make it hard to start up the generator in the future.
•Never store generator for extended periods of time with fuel in the tank.
Model number
DS1500
Gas tank capacity
6 L (1.59 US Gallons)
Figure 4 - Gas Tank Capacity
Step 3 - Ground the Generator
WARNING: Failure to properly ground the generator can result in electrocution.
Ground the generator by tightening the grounding nut
against a grounding wire (see figure 5). A generally
acceptable grounding wire is a No. 12 AWG (American
Wire Gauge) stranded copper wire. This grounding wire
should be connected at the other end to a copper or
brass-grounding rod that is driven into the ground/earth.
Grounding codes can vary by location. Please contact a
local electrician to check the grounding regulations for
your area.
Grounding Wire Nut Figure 5 –
Attaching the Grounding Wire to the Generator